Barrier connection apparatus and method of use thereof

ABSTRACT

Connection apparatus is provided for connecting two or more items together in use. The connection apparatus comprises a body portion, engagement means provided on or associated with the body portion to allow connection of the body portion to a first item in use, and attachment means provided on or associated with the body portion to allow attachment of the body portion to at least a second item in use. The attachment means includes at least one pin or locking member for removable location with an aperture, recess and/or channel provided on or associated with the at least second item.

This is a U.S. National Phase application claiming priority to PCT/BG2018/052017 filed Jul. 17, 2018, and British Application Number 1711590.8 filed Jul. 19, 2017, all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.

This invention relates to barrier connection apparatus and to a method of use thereof.

Although the following description refers almost exclusively to connection apparatus for connecting a barrier member in the form of a concrete barrier to an anchor member commonly referred to as a “barge”, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the connection apparatus could be used to connect any two or more items together, to connect a barrier member of any type to anchor apparatus, to connect a barrier member of any type to an item other than a barge member or anchor apparatus and/or the like.

The use of barrier members to delineate the lanes and/or edges of a highway, road, pedestrian pathway, cycle pathway and/or the like to prevent or at least limit a vehicle, object and/or person from passing from one side of the barrier members to an opposite side of the barrier members is well known. Such barrier members are also used for security purposes, anti-terrorist measures, for supporting other panel members, such as fence panel members and/or the like. The barrier members are often arranged in an end to end manner to form an elongate barrier structure. In order to anchor the barrier members at the ends of the elongate barrier structure, or at one or more points between the ends of the elongate barrier structure, anchor apparatus is provided which prevents or limits movement of the barrier structure in use. An example of anchor apparatus is a weighted structure that is attached to an adjacent barrier member. This type of anchor apparatus is often used for temporary barrier applications and/or where it is not possible or desirable for physical connections to be made in the surface on which the barrier structure is to be used. For example, weighted anchor apparatus is typically used where damage to a surface on which the barrier structure is supported in use is to be prevented, such as on flag stones, and/or where underground services, such as gas, electricity and/or water pipes may prevent connection of the barrier structure to the ground surface. An example of a weighted anchor apparatus is an item commonly referred to as a “barge”. It comprises an elliptical steel outer shell which is filled with concrete.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide connection apparatus for connecting a barrier member to anchor apparatus, or weighted anchor apparatus, such as for example a barge, in use.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using connection apparatus.

It is a yet further aim of the present invention to provide barrier connection apparatus and/or a method of use thereof.

It is a yet further aim of the present invention to provide a barrier system including connection apparatus and/or a method of use thereof.

It is a yet further aim of the present invention to provide connection apparatus for connecting two or more items together in use, and/or a method of use thereof.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided connection apparatus for connecting two or more items together in use, said connection apparatus comprising a body portion, engagement means provided on or associated with the body portion to allow connection of the body portion to a first item in use, and attachment means provided on or associated with the body portion to allow attachment of the body portion to at least a second item in use, and wherein the attachment means includes at least one pin or locking member for removable location with an aperture, recess and/or channel provided on or associated with the at least second item.

Preferably the attachment means further includes at least one attachment member having at least one aperture, recess and/or channel defined therein and said at least one pin or locking member is located or removably located with the attachment member aperture, recess and/or channel in addition to the aperture, recess and/or channel provided on or associated with the at least second item.

In one embodiment the attachment member includes at least two apertures, recesses and/or channels defined therein and said at least one pin or locking member is located or removably located with said at least two apertures, recesses and/or channels in addition to the aperture, recess and/or channel provided on or associated with the at least second item.

Preferably the at least two apertures, recesses and/or channels defined on the attachment member are located a spaced distance apart from each other.

Preferably the at least two apertures, recesses and/or channels are aligned or substantially aligned with each other, and further preferably are vertical or substantially vertically aligned with each other, to allow a single pin or locking member to be located through said at least two apertures, recesses and/or channels at the same time.

Preferably the at least one aperture, recess and/or channel is arranged on the attachment member such that the at least one pin or locking member is provided in an upright, vertical or substantially vertical orientation when in an attached position on or between the connection apparatus and the item in use.

Preferably the at least one pin or locking member is movable between an attached position, wherein it passes through or in at least one of the apertures, recesses and/or channels of the attachment member, and an unattached position wherein it is moved clear of said at least one aperture, recess and/or channel of the attachment member.

In one embodiment the attached position can also include the at least one pin or locking member passing through or in the at least one aperture, recess and/or channel provided on or associated with the at least second item in use.

In one embodiment the unattached position can also include the at least one pin or locking member being moved clear of the at least one aperture, recess and/or channel provided on or associated with the at least second item in use.

In one embodiment the at least one pin or locking member is an elongate or substantially elongate member.

Preferably the at least one pin or locking member is a linear or substantially linear member.

Preferably the at least one pin or locking member is a rigid or substantially rigid member.

Preferably the pin or locking member is of such length to be able to pass through at least two spaced apart apertures or channels of the attachment member and an aperture or channel on the second item in use simultaneously.

Preferably the pin or locking member is slidably movable in said at least one aperture or channel of the at least second item and/or the attachment member between the attached position and the unattached position in use.

Preferably the pin or locking member includes a head portion, and a neck portion protruding outwardly from said head portion.

Preferably the head portion is wider than, protrudes outwardly laterally from and/or has larger dimensions or diameter than the neck portion of the pin or locking member.

Preferably the dimensions, size and/or shape of the head portion of the pin or locking member prevents the head portion from passing through the at least one aperture, recess and/or channel defined in the attachment member and/or the aperture or channel provided on or associated with the at least second item in use.

Preferably the dimensions, size and/or shape of the neck portion of the pin or locking member allows the neck portion to pass through one or more, or all, of the one or more apertures or channels provided on the attachment member and provided on or associated with the at least second item in use.

In one embodiment securing means or a securing member are provided on or associated with the attachment means to allow further securing of the pin or locking member in the at least one aperture, recess and/or channel of the attachment member and/or the at least one channel, recess and/or aperture provided on or associated with the at least second item in use.

Preferably the securing means or securing member includes any or any combination of one or more clips, inter-engaging members, resilient biasing means, apertures, channels, recesses, chains and/or the like.

Preferably the attachment means and/or attachment member are provided directly or indirectly on said body portion of the connection apparatus.

In one embodiment one or more strengthening members, plate or plate like members and/or the like are provided between, on or associated with the attachment means, attachment member and/or the body portion. For example, strengthening means could be provided between two or more portions of the attachment means.

In one embodiment two or more strengthening members, plate or plate like members and/or the like are provided between, on or associated with the attachment means and/or between the attachment member and the body portion.

Preferably the one or more strengthening members, plate or plate like members are joined to each other, to the attachment means, attachment member and/or the body portion via any or any combination of welding, adhesive, one or more nuts and bolts, apertures, slots, channels, screws, inter-engaging members and/or the like.

Preferably the engagement means provided on or associated with the body portion includes any or any combination of one or more apertures, channels, slots, nuts and bolts, screws, welding, adhesive, clips, inter-engaging members and/or the like.

In one embodiment the body portion includes or consists of at least one plate or plate like member.

In one embodiment the attachment member includes a body support portion which is joined directly or indirectly to the body portion in use, and at least one pin or locking member support portion in which the at least one channel, recess and/or aperture is defined for the removable location of the pin or locking member therethrough in use.

Preferably the body support portion is a plate or plate like member.

Preferably the at least one pin or locking member support portion protrudes outwardly from the body support portion, and preferably protrudes perpendicularly outwardly from the body support portion.

Preferably at least two pin or locking member support portions are provided at spaced apart locations on the body support portion and protrude outwardly therefrom, and further preferably perpendicularly outwardly therefrom.

Preferably the at least two pin or locking member support portions are aligned or substantially aligned, and further preferably are vertically or substantially vertically aligned with each other.

In one embodiment one or more rib members are provided between the two or more pin or locking member support portions to provide additional strength and rigidity to the same.

Preferably the first item is a barrier member, and further preferably is a concrete barrier member.

Preferably the barrier member or concrete barrier member includes a base on which the barrier member is supported on a ground or floor surface in use, a top surface opposite to the base, and one or more side walls located between the base and the top surface.

Preferably the first item, barrier member or concrete barrier member is a solid or substantially solid barrier member.

Preferably the second item is a solid or substantially solid member.

Preferably an end of the barrier member or concrete barrier member facing the second item or barge is provided with one or more protruding members, and the aperture, recess and/or channel of the second item is defined in said protruding members.

Further preferably two or more spaced apart protruding members are provided to allow the pin or locking member of the connection apparatus to pass therethrough in use. Preferably each protruding member is provided with one or more apertures, recesses and/or channels for the location of the pin or locking member therethrough in use.

Preferably the connection apparatus is arranged on the second item or barge such that the pin or locking member support portion(s) are provided adjacent and/or opposite to the protrusion member(s) of the first item or barrier member in use.

Preferably the second item is anchor apparatus for anchoring the first item to any surface, a ground or floor surface, weighted anchor apparatus, a barge, an end barrier member and/or the like.

Preferably the weighted anchor apparatus is apparatus that provides a weight sufficient to prevent or help prevent movement of the first item and/or a barrier member in use.

In one embodiment the weighted anchor apparatus or barge comprises an elliptical or substantially elliptical structure.

Preferably the weighted anchor apparatus or barge comprises an outer shell member which contains, is filled with or substantially filled with one or more weighted components, such as for example stone, concrete, metal and/or the like therein.

Preferably the outer shell member is formed from or includes metal, metals, steel and/or the like.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using connection apparatus for connecting two or more items together, said connection apparatus comprising a body portion, said method including the steps of engaging the body portion to a first item in use using engagement means provided on or associated with the body portion, attaching the body portion to at least a second item in use using attachment means provided on or associated with the body portion, and wherein the attachment means includes at least one pin or locking member and said method further includes removably locating the at least one pin or locking member with an aperture, recess and/or channel provided on or associated with the at least second item to join the second item to the first item.

According to further independent aspects of the present invention there is provided barrier connection apparatus; a method of using barrier connection apparatus; a barrier system including connection apparatus; and a method of using a barrier system.

Preferably the barrier system includes two or more barrier members joined in an end to end manner to form an elongate barrier structure.

Preferably the connection apparatus can be used at any location between two adjacent barrier members in the barrier structure and/or between a barrier member and anchor apparatus or a barge forming part of the barrier system.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figures, wherein:

FIGS. 1a-1b show a side view and a perspective view of a barrier member connected to weighted anchor apparatus in the form of a barge using connection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention respectively;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connection apparatus shown in FIGS. 1a -1 b;

FIGS. 3a-3c show a side view, end view and perspective view of the connection apparatus shown in FIG. 2 respectively;

FIGS. 4a-4c show a side view, a perspective view, a front view, and a top plan view of the attachment member shown in FIG. 2 respectively;

FIGS. 5a-5d show a front view, a side view, a rear view and a perspective view of the body portion shown in FIG. 2 respectively; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the concrete barrier shown in FIGS. 1a -1 b.

Referring to the figures, there is illustrated connection apparatus 2 for connecting a first item in the form of a barrier member, and particularly a concrete barrier member 4, to a second item in the form of weighted anchor apparatus, commonly referred to as a barge 6.

The concrete barrier member 4 is a solid member having a top wall 8, a base wall 10 on which the barrier member 4 is supported on a ground surface 12 in use, opposing side walls 14, 16 and end walls 18, 20. Two spaced apart protrusion members 22, 24 are provided on end wall 18 and protrude outwardly therefrom. The protrusion members are aligned in a vertical axis ‘Y’ and are directly opposite to each other. Each protrusion member 22, 24 has an aperture 26 defined therethrough. Each protrusion member 22, 24 protrudes outwardly perpendicular to the end wall 18. The apertures 26 on each of the protrusion members 22, 24 are also vertically aligned and directly opposite to each other. The protrusion members 22, 24 are for connecting to the connection apparatus in use as will be described in more detail below.

In the described embodiment each protrusion member is a plate like member.

Barge 6 comprises an elliptical shaped outer shell 28, which in this example is formed from steel. The outer shell 28 is filled with a weighted material, which in this example is concrete 30. It will be appreciated that the barge can be any suitable shape and can be weighted with any suitable material, such as stone, rubber, liquid and/or the like.

Barge 6 is connected to end 18 of barrier member 4 in use via connection apparatus 2 and acts to stop or at least limit movement of barrier member 4 following an impact of an object, person or vehicle with the same in use, and also to limit or prevent movement of any other barrier members that may be connected to barrier member 4 in use.

Barge 6 has a base wall 34 on which the barge 6 is supported on ground surface 12 in use, a top wall 32 opposite the base wall 34, and opposing side walls 36, 38. In the illustrated example, a longitudinal axis ‘x’ of the barge 6 is provided perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis ‘Z’ of the barrier member 4. However, the barge and barrier member 4 could be provided at any relative orientation to each other as required.

The barrier member 4 typically forms part of an elongate barrier structure or system formed by joining a plurality of barrier members 4 together in an end to end manner. However, only one full barrier member 4 has been shown in the illustrations for clarity purposes.

Connection apparatus 2 comprises a body portion 40 having engagement means in the form of two spaced apertures 42, 44 defined therein for allowing bolts and nuts 46 to be located therethrough in use for connection to barge 6. In particular, in the illustrated example, a threaded bar is provided in barge 6 and blind nut 46 is attached to the end of the threaded bar to join body portion 40 to the barge. The body portion 40 is a plate member which can be of such a shape so as to allow the body portion 40 to be brought into flush or substantially flush engagement with the outer surface of side 36 of barge 6.

Body portion 40 has a front surface 48 and a rear surface 50. A strengthening plate member 52 is provided on front surface 48 of body portion 40 and is welded to the same. A plurality of apertures are defined through the strengthening plate member 52 and through the body portion 40. In particularly, first and second rows of spaced apart apertures 54′, 54″ are provided on opposite sides of strengthening plate member 52. A central row of weld spots (puddle welds) are defined in the centre of plate member 52 to allow the plate member 52 to be welded to the front surface 48 of body portion 40. The strengthening plate member 52 provides strength and rigidity to the connection apparatus 2. In addition, it allows any ends of attachment bolts located through apertures 54′, 54″ to be recessed relative to or flush with the rear surface 50 of body portion 40 in use so that the body portion can be engaged in a near as possible flush position with barge 6 in use. FIG. 5c shows a hexagonal shape recess surrounding apertures 54′, 54″ in rear surface 50 or body portion 40 to allow a hexagonal shape nut to be located in the recess so that the rear surface 50 can sit flush with the side wall 36 of barge 6 in use.

A handle element 53 is located adjacent a top edge of plate member 52 (and/or also body portion 40) so as to allow a lifting device, such as a strap, to be located through the same for lifting by a fork lift truck in one example. Further lifting means in the form of slots 55 can be provided to allow the body portion 40 to be lifted if required during use.

The plurality of apertures 54′, 54″ allows an attachment member 56 to be located at one of a number of possible user selected positions on the plate member 52.

Barrier attachment means in the form of an attachment member 56 is joined to a front surface 58 of strengthening plate 52. More particularly, attachment member 56 comprises a body support portion 60 and two pin support portions 62, 64. The body support portion 60 is a plate member having a front surface 66 and a rear surface 68. The rear surface 68 of body support portion 60 is attached to the front surface 58 of the strengthening plate 52.

Two lines of spaced apart apertures 70, 72 are defined on opposite sides of the front surface 66 of body support portion 60. These apertures 70, 72 are aligned with apertures 54′ and 54″ respectively on the strengthening plate 52 in use and fixing bolts 74 are located therethrough and fixed with complementary nuts to allow fixing of the attachment member 56 to the strengthening plate 52 and body portion 40.

The pin support portions 62, 64 protrude outwardly from front surface 66 of body support portion 60 and are located a spaced distance apart. Each of pin support portions 62, 64 has an aperture 76 defined therethrough. The apertures 76 are aligned and opposite to each other to allow the location of a pin member 78 therethrough in use.

Rib members 80 are located between pin support portions 62, 64 on either side of the same to provide additional strength and rigidity to the attachment member 56.

The pin member 78 is elongate, linear and rigid in form having a head portion 82 provided at a first end 85 and a neck portion 84 protruding outwardly from said head portion and ending at a second end 87 of the pin member 78. The head portion 82 has a part 86 which is larger in dimensions (or has a large diameter) compared to the rest of neck portion 84 and to the apertures 76 defined in the pin support portions 62, 64, thereby preventing the head portion 82 of pin member 78 from passing all the way through the apertures 76 in use, as shown in FIG. 2. The neck portion 84 has a smaller diameter than the apertures 76 on the attachment member 56 and the apertures 26 on the protrusion members 22, 24 on the concrete barrier 4 so as to allow the neck portion of the pin member 78 to pass through the same in use.

Securing means including an aperture 88 are defined in the neck portion 84 of pin member 78 adjacent the second end 87, opposite to the head portion 82, for the location of a securing clip 90 therethrough in use. With the pin member 78 located through both apertures 76 of the pin support portions 62, 64, the clip 90 acts to retain the pin member 78 in place in an engaged or attached position, as shown in FIG. 2.

The second end 87 of pin member 78 has a narrowing taper towards the free end so as to increase the ease with which the pin member 78 can be located through the apertures 76 in use.

In use, the connection apparatus 2 is connected to a side wall 36 of the barge 6 facing the end 18 of barrier member 4 in such an orientation that a longitudinal axis of the attachment member 56 is provided perpendicular to the longitudinal axes ‘X’ of the barge 6 and ‘Z’ of the barrier member 4. In this orientation, the pin member 78 when attached to the attachment member 56 will be in a vertical position or position perpendicular to the axes ‘X’ and ‘Z’. The connection apparatus 2 is also positioned on the barge 6 such that the pin support portions 62, 64 of the attachment member 56 are located directly above and below protrusion members 22, 24 respectively on the opposite end surface 18 of barrier member 4, as shown in FIG. 1 a, when the barge 6 and barrier member 4 are brought together for connection.

Pin member 78 is slidably movable in the apertures on the attachment member 56 and protruding members 22, 24 between an attached position, wherein the pin member 78 engages the protrusion members 22, 24 of the barrier member 4 to the connection apparatus 2 attached to the barge 6, and a detached position, wherein the pin member 78 is moved clear of the protrusion members 22, 24 and the connection apparatus 2.

With the pin member in the attached position, the neck portion 84 of the pin member 78 passes through the apertures 76 of the pin support portions 62, 64 and the apertures 26 on the protrusion members 22, 24. The barrier member cannot be separated from the barge 6.

With the pin member in the detached position, the barrier member can be separated from barge 6. 

1. Connection apparatus for connecting two or more items together in use, said connection apparatus comprising a body portion, engagement means provided on or associated with the body portion to allow connection of the body portion to a first item in use, and attachment means provided on or associated with the body portion to allow attachment of the body portion to at least a second item in use, wherein the attachment means includes at least one pin or locking member for removable location with an aperture, recess and/or channel provided on or associated with the at least second item.
 2. Connection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the attachment means further includes at least one attachment member having at least one aperture, recess and/or channel defined therein, and said at least one pin or locking member is located or removably locatable with the attachment member aperture, recess and/or channel in use, in addition to the aperture, recess and/or channel on or associated with the at least second item.
 3. Connection apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the attachment member includes at least two apertures, recesses and/or channels defined therein and located a spaced distance apart from each other, said at least one pin or locking member is located or removably locatable with said at least two apertures, recesses and/or channels in use.
 4. Connection apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the at least two apertures, recesses and/or channels are vertically aligned or substantially vertically aligned to allow a single pin or locking member to be located through said at least two apertures, recesses and/or channels at the same time in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation in use.
 5. Connection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one pin or locking member is an elongate, linear and rigid member.
 6. Connection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one pin or locking member includes a head portion, and a neck portion protruding outwardly from the head portion, wherein the head portion has larger dimensions or diameter compared to the neck portion and/or protrudes outwardly laterally from the neck portion to allow the neck portion to pass through the at least one aperture, recess and/or channel defined in the attachment member or second item in use but to prevent the head portion from passing through the same.
 7. Connection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein securing means are provided on or associated with the attachment means to allow further securing of the pin or locking member in the at least one aperture, recess and/or channel of the attachment member and/or at least second item in use.
 8. Connection apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the securing means includes any or any combination of one or more clips, inter-engaging members, resilient biasing means, chains, apertures, channels or recesses.
 9. Connection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one or more strengthening members or plates are provided between, on or associated with the attachment means and/or the body portion.
 10. Connection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the engagement means provided on or associated with the body portion includes any or any combination of one or more apertures, channels, slot, nuts and bolts, screws, welding, adhesive, clips or inter-engaging members.
 11. Connection apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the attachment member includes a body support portion which is joined directly or indirectly to the body portion in use, and at least one pin or locking member support portion in which the at least one channel, recess and/or aperture is defined for the removable location of the pin or locking member therethrough in use.
 12. Connection apparatus according to claim 11 wherein two pin or locking member support portions are provided at spaced apart locations on the body portion or body support portion and protrude outwardly therefrom.
 13. Connection apparatus according to claim 12 wherein one or more rib members are provided between the two or more pin or locking member support portions to provide additional strength and rigidity to the pin or locking member support portions.
 14. Connection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first item is a barrier member or concrete barrier member.
 15. Connection apparatus according to claim 14 wherein an end of the barrier member or concrete barrier member facing the second item is provided with one or more protruding members and the aperture, recess and/or channel of the second item are defined in the one or more protruding members.
 16. Connection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the second item is anchor apparatus for anchoring the first item to any surface, a ground or floor surface, weighted anchor apparatus, a barge or an end barrier.
 17. Connection apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the weighted anchor apparatus or barge comprises an elliptical or substantially elliptical structure.
 18. Connection apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the weighted anchor apparatus or barge comprise an outer shell member containing, is filled with or substantially filled with one or more weight components, stone, concrete, liquid or metal.
 19. A method of using connection apparatus for connecting two or more items together, said connection apparatus comprising a body portion, said method including the steps of engaging the body portion to a first item in use using engagement means provided on or associated with the body portion, attaching the body portion to at least a second item in use using attachment means provided on or associated with the body portion, and wherein the attachment means includes at least one pin or locking member and said method further includes removably locating the at least one pin or locking member with an aperture, recess and/or channel provided on or associated with the at least second item to join the second item to the first item. 